United Nations and Partnerships in Countries

A commitment to more effective aid

In 2005 WHO endorsed the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and was the first UN agency to adopt a Resolution on the Paris Declaration, which articulated a clear approach to harmonization at the country level. Since its adoption in 2005, the Secretariat has reported to its WHO's Governing bodies on the progress made/monitoring of WHO's adherence to the Paris Declaration.

The Department of Country Focus (CCO) contributes to the Secretariat's implementation of the commitments articulated in the Paris Declaration and the WHA 58.25, by:

• Providing WHO country offices with support on a needs basis;
• Developing capacity of WHO country teams, for effective engagement in partnership platforms; and
• Monitoring WHO's engagement in the aid effectiveness agenda at the country level.

Providing support

The Department provides support to country offices on issues of WHO performance in countries, as well as participation in partnerships and UN Reform. For example, CCO provides support for the development, dissemination and use of the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), which is a key instrument for aligning and harmonizing WHO's actions with partners at the country level.

• Download WHO Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) Guide 2010
  pdf, 2.45Mb

Developing the capacity of WHO country teams

CCO supports efforts to build the capacity of Heads of WHO Country Offices and country teams to engage in the aid effectiveness agenda at the country level. A key means of supporting country offices is through the WHO's learning toolkit for country teams on capacity development for harmonization and alignment.

• Download Learning toolkit for participants part I
  pdf, 4.52Mb
• Download Learning toolkit for participants part II
  pdf, 2.56Mb

Monitoring WHO's engagement in the aid effectiveness

The Department monitors WHO's compliance with the Paris Declaration by supporting country office participation in the three Surveys on Monitoring the Paris Declaration (2006, 2008, 2011).

Role in the UN Reform process

WHO (through CCO and the United Nations and Intergovernmental Agencies unit) has been involved in the development of the revised UNDAF guidelines and engages with the Resident Coordinator and UNCT under this framework. In collaboration with the United Nations and Intergovernmental Agencies unit (UNI), CCO has developed a guidance note for country teams which describes how the UNDAF and UNDAF Action Plan set out the principles and guidelines for how the UNCT should plan and implement at the country level. It also explains the way these processes integrate with the WHO planning processes.

• Download Guidance for WHO Country Teams
  pdf, 603kb

The Department supports WHO's involvement in the UNDAF process at country level through a second-line backstopping function, responding to requests for support regarding effective engagement in different partner platforms and the development and implementation of the UNDAF within the UNCT - as and when they arise. The key resources providing guidance on these processes include:

• -WHO Country Cooperation Strategies (CCS) Guide 2010; and
  pdf, 2.45Mb
• -The UNDAF Instruments and Process: Guidance for Country Teams.
  pdf, 603kb

A guidance note on using the CCS to shape the health component of the UNDAF is also available by emailing countryfocus@who.int